A steam cleaner is somewhat similar to a regular steamer, and it is also mainly used to disinfect various surfaces. The main cleansing force here is precisely hot steam, which, when properly heated, does an excellent job of removing fungi, microbes and other microorganisms.
Judging by the reviews of steam cleaners, this equipment allows you to save a lot on household chemicals. This technique does an excellent job of cleaning stoves or hobs, hoods, blinds, and bathrooms. If you believe the reviews about steam cleaners, many users even use these devices to clean car interiors. So such equipment can be safely called universal.
The home appliance market, as always, pleases with a wide range of steam cleaners. On the one hand, this is good, because there is plenty to choose from, but on the other hand, inexperienced consumers simply run their eyes from the variety presented, which makes it difficult to select a specific model.
We will try to properly understand this issue and determine the criteria for the beststeam cleaner. User reviews, the main characteristics of the models, as well as their advantages and disadvantages will be discussed in our article.
Difficulties in choosing
The rule: “The more expensive, the better” is not always true for this segment of technology. Here it is necessary to carefully weigh a number of critical characteristics that will directly affect the quality operation of the equipment in each case. Consider them all in order.
Design
All models can be conditionally divided into two types - manual and floor. The first are distinguished by their compactness and more democratic cost. But in this case, there are some pitfalls: the operational life of such models is very limited, and they are not suitable for daily, as well as full-scale, cleaning.
Judging by the reviews of manual type steam cleaners, they will come in handy if they work with a load of no more than two or three days a week (general cleaning). If we are talking about a kitchen where a stove with a hood is served, then there should be no problems - the appliance can be used at least every day.
Outdoor equipment is much more powerful than their manual counterparts. It is equipped with a large steam container and has a noticeably longer service life. With its appearance, the floor steam cleaner is very similar to a vacuum cleaner. But unlike the latter, it is much lighter, which is critical when working with vertical surfaces.
Judging by the reviews of steam cleaners for a floor-type home, this technique does an excellent job ofloads and allows you to carry out general cleaning at least every day, without fear of overloading the equipment and somehow harming it. The only negative, which, by the way, is a plus for the manual type of devices, is accessibility to the surface. The same hood in the kitchen or a slot is much more comfortable to handle with a small and nimble appliance, rather than a bulky floor model.
Tank capacity
The duration of the steam cleaner mainly depends on the volume of the tank. Manual models are equipped with small tanks, usually from 0.2 to 0.4 liters. Even with minimal water consumption, it runs out very quickly.
Floor equipment has more capacious tanks with a volume of 1 liter or more, which allows you to significantly increase the time of work. Judging by the reviews of steam cleaners, users do not recommend getting carried away with displacement, because this adds weight to the equipment. In general, everything should be in moderation and without fanaticism.
Heating time
This indicator directly depends on the power of the equipment, as well as on the volume of the tank. The more watts, the faster the heating. In addition, in large tanks, water gains the desired temperature much more slowly. One option to speed up the process is to immediately pour hot water into the tank.
On the market you can find devices with different power, as well as with heating speed. Moreover, the difference in the latter indicator can be quite significant - from 4 seconds to half an hour.
Protection systems
Here, for the most part, we are talking about a safety valve. This is an extremely important option, criticalaffecting the safety of this type of equipment. Users sometimes forget to turn off the device, and it continues to idle, overloading all important systems.
If the equipment is equipped with a safety valve, the device will automatically turn off after cleaning, thereby reducing the risk of breakage, and most importantly, fire.
Package
Models from the premium segment are completed, as a rule, in full. Here we have a wide range of various nozzles for working with different types of surfaces. For example, the brush does an excellent job of removing stubborn dirt, the scraper will clean your windows, and the injector will not only save detergent, but also make cleaning more precise.
Models from the mid-budget segment can also be equipped with a good set of nozzles, but this is the exception rather than the rule. And in most cases, you have to buy the necessary accessories separately.
Producers
Many companies are engaged in the production of such equipment, but not all of them produce really high-quality devices in many respects. The venerable German brand Karcher can be called the clear leader of the segment, which, as they say, ate a dog on cleaning and cleaning equipment.
It is also worth paying attention to the steam cleaners of the Italian company MIE, the English "Martha" and the domestic Kitfort. The products of these brands are of good quality, and users leave a lot about them.positive feedback.
Of course, other manufacturers can be found on the household appliances market, but in this case, the choice should be approached more carefully, because not all lines of seemingly well-known brands turned out to be successful and worthy of attention. For example, reviews of Bissell steam cleaners are far from the most flattering, while they are completely positive about vacuum cleaners from the same American brand.
Separately, it is worth mentioning little-known or, even worse, no-name manufacturers from the notorious Celestial Empire. The Chinese tirelessly churn out frankly cheap consumer goods right and left, and the purchase of such equipment is akin to a lottery, where the advantage is clearly not on the side of the consumer. Reviews about such manufacturers are unambiguous: both here there is a marriage, and here there is a breakdown, and how to win everything back and buy a normal device from a brand that respects itself and the consumer.
Next, let's look at several popular models that have distinguished themselves not only for their quality component, but also for a large number of positive reviews from users.
Karcher SC 1
This is one of the most popular handmade models among domestic consumers. Reviews about the SC 1 steam cleaner are mostly positive, and users do not note any critical shortcomings. The model has been repeatedly awarded at specialized exhibitions and has received high marks from independent online reviewers.
Judging by the same reviews of the 1 series steam cleaners, the models are distinguished by their compactness, the presence of a safety valve,long cable, as well as light weight, which will surely be appreciated by the beautiful half of humanity with fragile handles.
A modest tank of 0.2 liters serves as a fly in the ointment. It is barely enough for one small cleaning, and during serious events you have to constantly add water. In addition, reviews of the Karcher SC 1 steam cleaner often contain negative feedback regarding the completeness of the model. Here, as such, there is no delivery set, and the necessary nozzles have to be purchased separately. Branded appendage Floor Kit with everything you need will cost a good thousand rubles from above.
The estimated cost of the model is about 4200 rubles (without the Floor Kit).
Karcher SC 2
This is already floor equipment from a venerable brand, and it also excelled in excellent sales and a lot of positive reviews. The SC 2 steam cleaner is a comparatively simple, rather compact, and also very effective device for high-quality cleaning of almost any surface.
The model received a convenient adjustment of the steam supply and excellent protection of the main elements from scale, which is critical, given the situation with the domestic water supply. The intelligent coating is able to fully resist limescale and does not make you think again about water quality.
Judging by the reviews of the 2 series steam cleaners, users have appreciated the reliability and efficient operation of the models. There are no questions about the build quality or ergonomics of the equipment: everything is done at the proper level for the brand andfully justifies the money invested in equipment. Nevertheless, in the reviews of the Karcher SC 2 steam cleaner, consumer complaints still slip through the modest delivery set, where, as in the first case, you have to fork out for one of the branded sets.
The estimated price of the model is about 8400 rubles.
Kitfort KT-903
Floor model from a domestic manufacturer, first of all, boasts of its power, as well as a perfectly balanced price-quality ratio. Judging by the reviews of the Kitfort steam cleaner of the KT-903 series, this is the most versatile and extremely practical technique.
The model boasts a decent power of 2 kW, excellent steam pressure of 4 bar and its maximum temperature of almost 150 degrees. Such characteristics allow the equipment to quickly heat the steam and remove the most difficult dirt with due efficiency.
Consumers were also pleased with the delivery set of the model, which includes all the nozzles necessary for work: a scraper for smooth surfaces, a brush for picky ones, and a rather rare injector. The manufacturer took care of user safety and ergonomics by equipping the device with a safety valve, a measuring cup, a storage compartment for utensils and a convenient carrying handle.
One of the model's attractive features is the removable tank. Judging by the reviews, a good half of users consider this moment a significant advantage, because in the process of intensive cleaningwater runs out very quickly, and in models with a built-in tank, you have to completely turn off the equipment to replenish supplies. And here topping up is possible right during operation.
In a word, the domestic model did not lose face in front of imported counterparts and made it a serious competitor. European equipment with approximately the same characteristics costs at least one and a half, or even two times more expensive. So here the benefit is more than obvious.
The estimated cost of the model is about 10,000 rubles.
Karcher SC 5 + IRON KI
Judging by the reviews of the Karcher SC 5 series steam cleaners, this is the best that this segment has to offer. Users in unison with thematic magazines sing the praises of this model, and, perhaps, the only thing that consumers, and especially domestic ones, complain about is the prohibitive price tag. But here you need to understand that exceptional quality and amazing performance simply cannot be cheap, and you get exactly what you pay for.
The model received a rich functional set of almost everything and everything that can only be imagined on equipment of this kind. Also, many users were pleased with the rich delivery package, while other devices from less noble series are clearly not different from this. The quantity and quality of nozzles allows you to take on any surface and complete the task with due efficiency.
Main features of the model:
- intelligent steam adjustment;
- two fulltank with Comfort Plus system;
- parking;
- Equally effective for both vertical and horizontal steaming;
- effective protection system (from scale, from children) coupled with a safety valve;
- an abundance of all kinds of nozzles for any surface;
- Exceptional build quality;
- maximum warranty from a German manufacturer.
It is also worth remembering that such equipment has problems with short power cords. Here, the issue is resolved in the bud, and six meters of cable is enough to work through even the largest room without involving a carrier.
As a guarantor of efficiency here is an enviable power, along with the same excellent steam pressure of 4.2 bar, which gives a very high efficiency. In a word, this model is an ideal tool for effective cleaning and cleaning of any surfaces. The only drawback that cannot be called critical in any way, and it does not relate to the technical part in any way, is the price. Yes, it is high, and not everyone can afford such a cleaning monster. But the model fully justifies the funds invested in it and will satisfy the needs of the most demanding consumers.
The estimated price of the model is about 35,000 rubles.
